Magnetic Tool Restraint

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes an apparatus and method for magnetically restraining a tool that includes a base with one or more first recesses and one or more first magnetic ball bearings disposed within the one or more first recesses to magnetically restrain one or more tools.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/030,955, filed Feb. 23, 2008, the contents of which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to the field of multi-purpose,versatile magnetic tool holders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In both industrial and consumer settings there has been a growing needfor a tool holder that can restrain a wide variety of tools throughrelying on magnetism. While present day tool holders sometimes usemagnetism to supplement a separate restraint, very few are able to relyon magnetic forces alone. Those tool holders that supplement theirrestraints with magnetism often implement such limited forces that anyresulting magnetic restraint remains incidental to the tool holder'sfunctionality. On the other hand, those tool holders that rely purely onmagnetism to perform their functions often include so much magnetism,mainly using electromagnets, that the functionality precludes tools withelectronic components. Furthermore, modern tools holders that rely onmagnetic restraint remain subject to a tool's ferrous properties.

Often, wrench racks provide predefined receptacles often having magnetsto supplement restraining capability. While the wrench rack's magnetismis not essential to the restraint it may supplement the rack in keepinga tool in place. When such racks include magnets, such incorporation isusually inconsequential to overall functionality. Furthermore, whenmagnets are incorporated in such wrench racks and the like, the magnetsare usually non-movable and bound to a receptacle. Tool restraints thatrely purely on magnetic forces are generally usable only for certaintypes of tools, due to the use of electromagnets, which althoughpowerful, can cause significant damage to electric motors incorporatedin such tools. Thus, while an end user may rely on electromagnetism tohold a standard screwdriver, that user may think twice before holding anelectric screwdriver by that same electromagnetic force.

As a consequence of the foregoing, a longstanding need exists for anapparatus and method allowing for the quick, simple, and effectivemagnetic storage and retrieval of tools whether or not a tool hasmagnetic properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus and method areprovided to allow for the more efficient magnetic storage and retrievalof tools. The present invention provides a magnetic tool holder thatincludes a tool holder's magnetic restraint and/or a restraintindependent of an individual tool's ferrous properties. One embodimentof the present invention can rely on a tool's ferrous properties toprovide restraint, another embodiment provides a restraint for almostany tool by relying on the magnetic attraction of the ball bearingsalone or in combination with a surrounding channel.

One embodiment of the present invention is a base with one or more firstrecesses and one or more first magnetic ball bearings disposed withinthe one or more first recesses to magnetically restrain one or moretools. The base may include one or more non-magnetic ball bearingsdisposed within the one or more first recesses. Alternatively the basemay have one or more planar faces each having one or more firstrecesses.

Still another embodiment of the present invention may include a basewith one or more first recesses, wherein the base may have one or moreapertures spaced about the one or more first recesses. Alternatively,the present invention may include a base, in which at least a portion ofthe base is magnetic or non-magnetic or metallic or non-metallic orelastomeric or non-elastomeric or malleable or non-malleable or ferrousor non-ferrous. Also another embodiment may have a base wherein, atleast a portion of the one or first magnetic ball bearings are metallicor non-metallic or elastomeric or non-elastomeric or malleable ornon-malleable or ferrous or non-ferrous. Furthermore, at least a portionof the base may be plastic or rubber.

The present invention may include a base with one or more first recessesand one or more first magnetic ball bearings disposed within the one ormore first recesses to magnetically restrain one or more tools, whereinthe one or more first magnetic ball bearings have differing diameters.Alternately, the one or more non-magnetic ball bearings of differingdiameters may be disposed within one or more first recesses. Also thepresent invention may include a base, wherein the one or more firstmagnetic ball bearings have at least one inner core encased by a shellof an opposite polarity. Furthermore, the present invention may have oneor more first magnetic ball bearings having two halves of oppositepolarities.

Also the base may have one or more channels, with each channel havingone or more second recesses, and one or more second magnetic ballbearings disposed within the one or more second recesses to magneticallyrestrain one or more tools. Additionally the one or more non-magneticball bearings may be included. The base with one or more channels, witheach channel having one or more second recesses, and one or more secondmagnetic ball bearings disposed within the one or more second recessesto magnetically restrain one or more tools, may also have the one ormore channels outwardly extend from a surface of the base. The presentinvention may by designed such that at least a portion of the base ismagnetic or non-magnetic or metallic or non-metallic or elastomeric ornon-elastomeric or malleable or non-malleable or ferrous or non-ferrous.Still the present invention may have one or more second magnetic ballbearings disposed within the one or more second recesses to magneticallyrestrain one or more tools, wherein at least a portion of the one orsecond magnetic ball bearings is metallic or non-metallic or elastomericor non-elastomeric or malleable or non-malleable or ferrous ornon-ferrous.

Yet, another embodiment of the present invention may have the base withone or more channels, with each channel having one or more secondrecesses, and one or more second magnetic ball bearings disposed withinthe one or more second recesses to magnetically restrain one or moretools, wherein, at least a portion of the base is plastic or rubber.Furthermore, the present invention may have a base with one or morechannels, with each channel having one or more second recesses, and oneor more second magnetic ball bearings disposed within the one or moresecond recesses to magnetically restrain one or more tools, wherein oneor more second magnetic ball bearings have differing diameters. The basewith one or more channels, with each channel having one or more secondrecesses, and one or more second magnetic ball bearings disposed withinthe one or more second recesses to magnetically restrain one or moretools may also include one or more non-magnetic ball bearings ofdiffering diameters disposed within one or more second recesses.

Furthermore, another embodiment of the present invention may include abase with one or more channels, with each channel having one or moresecond recesses, and one or more second magnetic ball bearings disposedwithin the one or more second recesses to magnetically restrain one ormore tools, wherein the one or more second magnetic ball bearings haveat least one inner core encased by a shell of an opposite polarity.Alternatively the one or more second magnetic ball bearings have twohalves of opposite polarities. Another embodiment may include the basewhere the one or more channels are of different depths and/or one ormore second recesses are of differing dimensions. The present inventionmay also have a base with one or more channels, with each channel havingone or more second recesses, and one or more second magnetic ballbearings disposed within the one or more second recesses to magneticallyrestrain one or more tools, wherein each second recess extendssubstantially perpendicular to one or more channels.

The present invention may have a base with one or more first recessesand one or more first magnetic ball bearings disposed within the one ormore first recesses and may be used by first lifting one or more toolswithin the magnetic field of one or more first magnetic ball bearings,then moving one or more tools such that the magnetic field of one ormore first restraints increasingly attracts one or more tools, andfinally disposing one or more tools whereby the magnetic attraction toone or more first magnetic ball bearings constrains one or more tools.When, the present invention has a base with one or more channels, whereeach channel has one or more second recesses, and where one or moresecond magnetic ball bearings are disposed within one or more secondrecesses and the present invention may be used by first lifting one ormore tools within one or more channels of the base and then disposingone or more tools past one or more second magnetic ball bearings wherebythe second magnetic ball bearings constrain further tool movement.

When, the base has one or more first recesses or when the base has oneor more channels, where each channel has one or more second recesses,the base may be manufactured by injection molding, die casting,sintering, or machining.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of thepresent invention, reference is now made to the detailed description ofthe invention along with the accompanying figures and in which:

FIGS. 1 a-1 d illustrate isometric, front, top, and side views of anembodiment of a magnetic tool restraint.

FIGS. 2 a-2 d further illustrates isometric, front, top, and side viewsof an embodiment of a magnetic tool restraint.

FIGS. 3 a-3 c depict multiple cut-out top and side views of embodimentsof the base and one or more apertures spaced about one or more firstrecesses in which one or more first magnetic ball bearings are disposed.

FIGS. 4 a to 4 f depict multiple cut-out side views of the base havingone or more first recesses in which one or more first magnetic ballbearings are disposed and one or more non-magnetic ball bearings aredisposed along with one or more channels, each having one or more secondrecesses, in which one or more second magnetic ball bearings aredisposed.

FIGS. 5 a-5 g depict multiple cut out side views of various embodimentshaving a base with one or more channels, where each channel has one ormore second recesses, with each recess having one or more disposedsecond magnetic ball bearings.

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b depicts two alternative embodiments of a firstmagnetic ball bearing or a second magnetic ball bearing may be situated.

FIGS. 7 a-7 c depict alternate isometric views of embodiments in which abase may be arranged.

FIG. 8 depicts yet another isometric view of an embodiment in which amagnetic tool restraint whose base, has a first recess disposing a firstmagnetic ball bearing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the presentinvention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated thatthe present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts thatcan be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specificembodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways tomake and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of theinvention.

To facilitate the understanding of this invention, a number of terms aredefined below. Terms defined herein have meanings as commonly understoodby a person of ordinary skill in the areas relevant to the presentinvention. Terms such as “a”, “an” and “the” are not intended to referto only a singular entity, but include the general class of which aspecific example may be used for illustration. The terminology herein isused to describe specific embodiments of the invention, but their usagedoes not delimit the invention, except as outlined in the claims.

The base, one more first magnetic ball bearings, one or more secondmagnetic ball bearings, non-magnetic balls bearings, and other parts ofthe present invention may be made from a wide variety of materials thatare, e.g., metallic or non-metallic or magnetic or non-magnetic orelastomeric or non-elastomeric or malleable or non-malleable or the oneor more second restraints are metallic or non-metallic or magnetic ornon-magnetic or elastomeric or non-elastomeric or malleable ornon-malleable. Also, the present invention may be made such that thebase is metallic or non-metallic or magnetic or non-magnetic orelastomeric or non-elastomeric or malleable or non-malleable. Examplesof materials include metals, plastics, polymers, wood, alloys,composites and the like. The metals may be made from one or more metals,such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, nickel, magnesium,or any other structural metal. Examples of plastics or polymers mayinclude: nylon, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyester (PE),polytetraflouroethylene (PTFE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),polyvinylchloride (PVC), or polycarbonate, for example, GE's Lexan®polycarbonate, and combinations thereof, among other plastics. The toolrestraint taught herein may be molded, sintered, machined and/orcombinations thereof to form the required pieces to assemble the toolrestraint components.

The present invention may also include magnetic surfaces that help torestrain the tools. For example, a wide variety of permanent magnets maybe used with the present invention such as rare earth magnets, ceramicmagnets, alnico magnets, which may be rigid, semi-rigid and flexiblemagnets. Flexible magnets are made by impregnating a flexible materialsuch as neoprene rubber, vinyl, nitrile, nylon or a plastic with amaterial such as iron flakes having magnetic characteristics and willfind use with the present invention. Conversely, the tool may berendered magnetic and the material embedded or placed into a base forattachment of the tool may be ferrous.

While the bearings depicted in the figures are shown as generallyspherical, the skilled artisan will recognize that the magnetic orferrous attachment point of the present invention may have any shape,for example, linear, triangular, cubic, rectangular, polyhedral, oval,round, polygonal, as long as a contact portion is available tomagnetically attract and retain a tool.

FIGS. 1 a-1 d illustrate various embodiments of a magnetic toolrestraint 10, including a base 20 with one or more first recesses 30,one or more first magnetic ball bearings 32, as well as one or morenon-magnetic ball bearings 50 disposed within the one or more firstrecesses 30. Furthermore, FIG. 2 depicts a magnetic tool restraint 10 isshown including a base 20 with one or more channels 44, where eachchannel has one or more second recesses 40, in which one or more secondmagnetic ball bearings 42 are disposed. In FIGS. 1 a-1 d show,respectively, isometric, front, top, and side views of an embodiment ofa magnetic tool restraint 10 are shown. In these particular embodiments,the magnetic tool restraint 10 has a base 20, one or more first magneticball bearings 32 a, 32 b, 32 c, 32 d, 32 e, 32 f, and one or morenon-magnetic ball bearings 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, 50 d, 50 e, 50 f disposedwithin one or more first recesses 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d, 30 e, 30 f.

The isometric view depicts two rows one or more first magnetic ballbearings 32 a, 32 b, 32 c, 32 d, 32 e, 32 f substantially aligned withone row of one or more non-magnetic ball bearings 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, 50d, 50 e, 50 f. This does not necessarily have to be the case in anotherembodiment. Any number of first magnetic ball bearings 32 may be placedanywhere about the base 20. Furthermore any number of non-magnetic ballbearings 50 may be placed anywhere about the base 20. Neither one ormore first magnetic ball bearings 32 a, 32 b, 32 c, 32 d, 32 e, 32 f nordo one or more non-magnetic ball bearings 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, 50 d, 50 e,50 f need to be placed in rows, or organized in any fashion.Accordingly, any non-magnetic ball bearing 50 could be placed next to,behind, in front of, in parallel with, adjacent to, and any number offirst magnetic ball bearings 32.

Furthermore, though this particular embodiment depicts a base 20 takinga generally rectangular shape, this need not be the case. The base 20may have any variety of shapes and any number of planes. For example,the base may take a generally trapezoidal shape, a generally ovularshape, a generally pyramid-like shape. Also, any number of firstmagnetic ball bearings 32 and any number of non-magnetic ball bearings50 may be placed about any location, face, or plane of the base 20.

The top view of this particular embodiment depicts two rows one or morefirst magnetic ball bearings 32 a, 32 b, 32 c, 32 d, 32 e, 32 fsubstantially aligned with one row of one or more non-magnetic ballbearings 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, 50 d, 50 e, 50 f. This does not necessarilyhave to be the case in another embodiment. Any first magnetic ballbearing 32 and any non-magnetic ball bearing may be located anywhereabout the base 20.

The side view in this particular embodiment depicts one or more firstrecesses 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d, 30 e, 30 f in which first magnetic ballbearings 32 a, 32 b, 32 c, 32 d, 32 e, 32 f are disposed. Though thisparticular view only depicts first magnetic ball bearings 32 a, 32 b, 32c, 32 d, 32 e, 32 f, another embodiment may have non-magnetic ballbearings 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, 50 d, 50 e, 50 f disposed within any one ormore first recesses 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d, 30 e, 30 f in anycombination. For example non-magnetic ball bearings 50 a, 50 b, 50 f andfirst magnetic ball bearings 32 c, 32 d, 32 e may be disposedaccordingly in one or more first recesses 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d, 30 e,30 f.

The front view of this particular embodiment is included to show thatany non-magnetic ball bearing 50 or any first magnetic ball bearing 32may be disposed in one or more first recesses 30. Though the base 20 ofthis particular embodiment does not include any apertures 34, this maybe the case in other embodiments.

FIGS. 2 a-2 d illustrate, respectively, isometric, front, top, and sideviews of an embodiment of a magnetic tool restraint 10. In thisparticular embodiment, the magnetic tool restraint 10 with a base 20,having one or more channels 44 a, 44 b, 44 c, 44 d, 44 e, 44 f, witheach channel having one or more second recesses 40 a 1, 40 a 2, 40 b1,40 b 2, 40 c 1, 40 c 2, 40 d 1,40 d 2, 40 e 1, 40 e 2, 40 f 1, 40 f 2.For illustrative purposes, the one or more second magnetic ball bearings42 a 1, 42 a 2, 42 b 1, 42 b 2, 42 c 1, 42 c 2, 42 d 1, 42 d 2, 42 e 1,42 e 2, 42 f 1, 42 f 2 disposed within one or more second recesses 40 a1, 40 a 2, 40 b 1,40 b 2, 40 c 1,40 c 2, 40 d 1,40 d 2, 40 e 1,40 e 2,40 f 1, 40 f 2 have been left out of this particular depiction. In otherembodiments one or more second magnetic ball bearings 42 are disposedwithin one or more second recesses.

The isometric view of this particular embodiment depicts one or morechannels 44 a, 44 b, 44 c, 44 d, 44 e, 44 f accompanied by theirrespective one or more second recesses 40 a 1, 40 a 2, 40 b 1,40 b 2, 40c 1,40 c 2, 40 d 1,40 d 2, 40 e 1,40 e 2, 40 f 1, 40 f 2. Though thisembodiment only depicts one or more channels 44 each with one or moresecond recesses 40 extending about a shorter plane of the base 20, thisdoes not have to necessarily be so in other embodiments. Though the base20 may have any shape and any number of planes, one or more channels 44with one or more second recesses 40 could extend about any plane of thebase. Furthermore any one or more channels 44 with one or more secondrecesses 40 could extend about the longitudinal axis of the base 20. Ifone were to classify the one or more channels 44 with one or more secondrecesses 40 could extending about the top plane in this particularembodiment, in another embodiment, one or more channels 44 with one ormore second recesses 40 could extend about the top plane, and anotherset of one or more channels 44 with one or more second recesses 40 couldextend about the bottom plane, or a side plane, or just the bottom planeor just the side plane.

The top view of this particular embodiment depicts a base 20, having oneor more channels 44 a, 44 b, 44 c, 44 d, 44 e, 44 f, with each channelhaving one or more second recesses 40 a 1, 40 a 2, 40 b 1,40 b 2, 40 c1,40 c 2, 40 d 1,40 d 2, 40 e 1,40 e 2, 40 f 1, 40 f 2. The one or morechannels 44 with one or more second recesses 40 do not have to bearranged about the base 20 in other embodiments, while other sets of oneor more channels 44 with one or more second recesses 40 may be includedin other embodiments.

The side view of this particular embodiment depicts a base 20, havingone or more channels 44 a, 44 b, 44 c, 44 d, 44 e, 44 f, with eachchannel having one or more second recesses 40 a 1, 40 a 2, 40 b 1,40 b2, 40 c 1,40 c 2, 40 d 1,40 d 2, 40 e 1,40 e 2, 40 f 1, 40 f 2. The oneor more channels 44 with one or more second recesses 40 do not have tobe arranged about the base 20 in other embodiments, while other sets ofone or more channels 44 with one or more second recesses 40 may beincluded in other embodiments.

The front view of this particular embodiment depicts a base 20, havingone or more channels 44 having one or more second recesses 40. The oneor more channels 44 with one or more second recesses 40 do not have tobe arranged about the base 20 in other embodiments, while other sets ofone or more channels 44 with one or more second recesses 40 may beincluded in other embodiments.

FIGS. 3 a-3 c depict multiple cut-out top and side views of embodimentsof the base 20, and one or more apertures 34 spaced about one or morefirst recesses 30 in which one or more first magnetic ball bearings 32are disposed. This particular depiction is included for the purpose ofshowing that one or more apertures 34 may take different forms and bearranged in varying manners. However, the one or more apertures 34 aboutone or more first recesses 30 may extend in any manner. The one or moreapertures 34 may extend throughout the entire base 20 or only throughpart of the base 20.

One or more apertures 34 may be of a generally circular shape, asdepicted in the left most view in FIG. 3. Additionally the one or moreapertures 34 may be of a generally rectangular or square shape asdepicted in FIG. 3 b. Alternatively, the one or more apertures 34 may beof a generally curved shape as depicted in the right most view in FIG.3. The one or more apertures 34 may be of any shape or size.Furthermore, any of the one or more apertures 34 having any shape may becombined on the base with any other of the one or more apertures 34. Oneor more apertures 34 does not have to be the same size as any other ofthe one or more apertures 34. The one or more apertures 34 may extendparallel to the curvature of one or more first recesses 30.

FIGS. 4 a-f depict multiple cut-out side views of the base 20 having oneor more first recesses 30 in which one or more first magnetic ballbearings 32 are disposed and one or more non-magnetic ball bearings 50are disposed along with one or more channels 44, each having one or moresecond recesses 40, in which one or more second magnetic ball bearings42 are disposed. Accordingly the one or more first recesses 30, the oneor more channels 44, and the one or more second recesses 40 may take anyshape including that of a rectangle or circle. The base 20 may containany combination of one or more first recesses 30 and one or morechannels 44 in which one or more second recesses 40 are disposed.

Each of the one or more channels 44 may have one or more second recesses40. Some second recesses 40 may have just one second magnetic ballbearing 42 disposed between one or more second recesses 40, as depictedin FIG. 4 b, while other second recesses may have more than one secondmagnetic ball bearings 42 disposed among them. Additionally, one or morechannels 44 may have just one second recess 40 in which one or moresecond magnetic ball bearings 42 are disposed is depicted in FIG. 4 c oradditional second recesses 40 having one or more second magnetic ballbearings 42 may be included. Furthermore, one or more first recesses 30a, 30 c may have one or more first magnetic ball bearings 32 or one ormore non-magnetic ball bearings 50 disposed within them while other oneor more first recesses 30 b may have neither a first magnetic ballbearing 32 nor a non-magnetic ball bearing 50 disposed within it asdepicted in FIG. 4 d. Also, any combination of first magnetic ballbearings 32 a, 32 c and one or more non-magnetic ball bearings 50 b maybe disposed within one or more first recesses 30 a, 30 b, 30 c asdepicted in FIG. 4 e. Similarly, any combination of one or morenon-magnetic ball bearings 50 a, 50 c and one or more first magneticball bearings 32 b, 32 d may be disposed within one or more firstrecesses 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d as depicted in FIG. 4 f.

FIGS. 5 a-5 g depict multiple cut out side views of various embodimentshaving a base 20 with one or more channels 44, where each channel hasone or more second recesses 40, with each recess having one or moredisposed second magnetic ball bearings 42. Accordingly any of the one ormore second recesses 40 may extend from each channel 44 in anydirection. One second recess 40 a may extend substantially perpendicularto a channel 44, while another second recess 40 b may extendsubstantially perpendicular to a channel 44. Furthermore one secondrecess 40 a may extend to form an angle between 0 and 90 degrees with achannel 44 while another second recess 40 b may extend to form anopposite angle between 0 and 90 degrees with a channel 44 as depicted inFIG. 5 a. Alternatively, one first channel having a second recess 40 amay extend to form an angle between 0 and 90 degrees with a channel 44while another second recess 40 b may extend to form an opposite anglebetween 0 and 90 degrees with a channel 44 such that each second recess40 a, 40 b mirrors one another as depicted in FIG. 5 b and FIG. 5 c. Anysecond recess 40 may mirror another second recess 40 over the channel44.

Also each channel 44 may have sets of one or more second recesses 40 a,40 b and 40 c, 40 d as depicted in FIG. 5 d. Alternatively some channels44 may have a second recess 40 a with a set of second recesses 40 c, 40d as depicted in FIG. 5 e while other channels 44 may have another setof second recesses 40 a, 40 b while another part of the channel has asingle second recess 40 c as depicted in FIG. 5 f. Furthermore one ormore sets of second recesses 40 a, 40 b and 40 c, 40 d may be larger orsmaller than another set of second recesses 40 e, 40 f.

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b depict two alternative embodiments of a first magneticball bearing 32 or a second magnetic ball bearing 42. A first magneticball bearing 32 or a second magnetic ball bearing 42 may have at leastone inner core 52 encased by a shell 54 of an opposite polarity asdepicted in FIG. 6 a, where one inner core 52 is encased by a shell 54.However, other embodiments may include two inner cores 52, in which oneinner core 52 a is encased within another inner core 52 b which isencased within a shell 54 having an opposite polarity. Alternatively afirst magnetic ball bearing 32 or a second magnetic ball bearing 42 maysimply be one piece having two opposite poles, as depicted in FIG. 6 b.Any first magnetic ball bearing 32 or any second magnetic ball bearing52 is not required to have the same radius as any other first magneticball bearing 32 or any second magnetic ball bearing 52.

FIGS. 7 a-7 c depict alternate isometric views of embodiments in which abase 20 may be arranged. As displayed, a base 20 may have a generallyrectangular shape or a generally pyramid shape having one or more firstrecesses 30 or one or more channels 44. FIG. 7 c depicts a base 20 thatincludes magnetic ball bearing 32 in conjunction with a variety oftools. For example, the magnetic tool restraint 10 is shown holding aPhillips head screwdriver 70 a, a wrench 70 b, a monkey wrench 70 c, ascratch awl 70 d, a hammer 70 e or a mallet 70 f to which a ferrousmaterial 72 has been attached. The skilled artisan will recognize thatthe present invention may also use non-magnetic ball bearings incircumstances where the tool to be held and/or organized has been fittedwith a magnet. For example, the ball bearings or the tool attachmentportion may be ferrous and the tool ferrous or non-ferrous, as long asat least a portion of the tool or a magnetic material is attached to thetool such that the tool is rendered magnetic.

FIGS. 8 a and 8 b depict yet another isometric view of an embodiment inwhich a magnetic tool restraint 10 whose base 20, has a first recess 30having a first magnetic ball bearing 32. In this particular embodimentthe base 20 is substantially half-ovular, having a first magnetic ballbearing 32 disposed within a first recess 30. The magnetic toolrestraint 10 in FIGS. 8 a and 8 b are fitted with a hook 82 and a screw84 (which may also be a pin or peg) for easy attachment to a peg board,a tool strip or other tool organizer.

It will be understood that particular embodiments described herein areshown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention.The principal features of this invention can be employed in variousembodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Thoseskilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no morethan routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specificprocedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to bewithin the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.

All publications and patent applications mentioned in the specificationare indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art towhich this invention pertains. All publications and patent applicationsare herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if eachindividual publication or patent application was specifically andindividually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

In the claims, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,”“including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and thelike are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including butnot limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and“consisting essentially of,” respectively, shall be closed orsemi-closed transitional phrases.

All of the materials and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can bemade and executed without undue experimentation in light of the presentdisclosure. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent tothose skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope andconcept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A magnetic tool restraint comprising: a base with one or more firstrecesses; and one or more first magnetic ball bearings disposed withinthe one or more first recesses to magnetically restrain one or moretools at any point of contact with the magnetic ball bearing.
 2. Themagnetic tool restraint of claim 1, further comprising one or morenon-magnetic ball bearings disposed within the one or more firstrecesses.
 3. The magnetic tool restraint of claim 1, wherein the basehas one or more planar faces each having one or more first recesses. 4.The magnetic tool restraint of claim 1, wherein the base has one or moreapertures spaced about one or more first recesses.
 5. The magnetic toolrestraint of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the base ismagnetic, non-magnetic, metallic, non-metallic, elastomeric,non-elastomeric, malleable, plastic, polymeric, non-malleable, ferrous,non-ferrous or combinations thereof.
 6. The magnetic tool restraint ofclaim 1, wherein two or more first magnetic ball bearings have differingdiameters.
 7. The magnetic tool restraint of claim 1, wherein the firstrecesses is in the form of a slot and the ball bearings may be movedwithin the slot to adjust the location of the ball bearing within thefirst recess.
 8. The magnetic tool restraint of claim 1, wherein the oneor more first magnetic ball bearings have at least one inner coreencased by a shell of an opposite polarity.
 9. The magnetic toolrestraint of claim 1, wherein the one or more first magnetic ballbearings have two halves of opposite polarities.
 10. A magnetic toolrestraint comprising: a base with one or more channels; each channelhaving one or more second recesses; and one or more second ball bearingsdisposed within the one or more second recesses to magnetically restrainone or more tools.
 11. The magnetic tool restraint of claim 10, furthercomprising one or more non-magnetic ball bearings.
 12. The magnetic toolrestraint of claim 10, wherein the one or more channels outwardly extendfrom a surface of the base.
 13. The magnetic tool restraint of claim 10,wherein at least a portion of the base is magnetic, non-magnetic,metallic, non-metallic, elastomeric, non-elastomeric, malleable,plastic, polymeric, non-malleable, ferrous, non-ferrous or combinationsthereof.
 14. The magnetic tool restraint of claim 10, wherein two ormore second magnetic ball bearings have differing diameters.
 15. Themagnetic tool restraint of claim 10, wherein the first recesses is inthe form of a slot and the ball bearings may be moved within the slot toadjust the location of the ball bearing within the first recess.
 16. Themagnetic tool restraint of claim 10, wherein the one or more secondmagnetic ball bearings have at least one inner core encased by a shellof an opposite polarity.
 17. The magnetic tool restraint of claim 10,wherein the one or more second magnetic ball bearings have two halves ofopposite polarities.
 18. The magnetic tool restraint of claim 10,wherein the one or more channels are of different depths.
 19. Themagnetic tool restraint of claim 10, wherein the one or more secondrecesses are of differing dimensions.
 20. The magnetic tool restraint ofclaim 10, wherein each second recess extends substantially perpendicularto one or more channels.
 21. A method for using a magnetic toolrestraint comprising a base with one or more first recesses and one ormore first magnetic ball bearings disposed within the one or more firstrecesses comprising the steps of: lifting one or more tools within themagnetic field of one or more first magnetic ball bearings; moving oneor more tools such that the magnetic field of one or more firstrestraints increasingly attracts one or more tools; and disposing one ormore tools whereby the magnetic attraction to one or more first magneticball bearings constrains one or more tools.